SUNN O)))
Robed drone metal played at physically overwhelming volume — less a concert than a weather event, fog machines running from doors.
SUNN O))) formed in Seattle in 1998, put together by Greg Anderson and Stephen O'Malley as an extension of their admiration for Earth's early drone records; the name plays on Earth's own, borrowed from the Sunn amplifier brand's circular logo. Before settling in Los Angeles, the pair briefly performed under the name Mars.
Their music consists of extended, slowly shifting guitar drones played at extreme volume, built from heavily distorted tones in low, alternate tunings with almost no drums or conventional song structure, leaning on resonant feedback to build a steady mass of sound rather than melody or rhythm.
Most releases have come out through Southern Lord, the label Anderson founded the same year the band started, though early records such as ØØ Void and The Grimmrobe Demos were scattered across several other labels before later reissue. Records including Black One, Monoliths & Dimensions and Life Metal have added orchestral and choral elements, the last produced with Steve Albini alongside the companion release Pyroclasts. Hungarian vocalist Attila Csihar has served as the band's primary vocalist since 2003.
SUNN O))) has worked with Boris on Altar, with Ulver on Terrestrials and with Scott Walker on Soused, and in 2015 curated a four-day program at the Le Guess Who? festival in Utrecht. In 2025 the band signed to Sub Pop.
Live, Anderson and O'Malley perform in hooded robes amid heavy fog, playing at a volume loud enough to be felt in the chest as much as heard, an approach that has drawn coverage well outside metal circles.
Festivals SUNN O))) is playing
SUNN O))) at a glance
What festivals is SUNN O))) playing in 2026?
SUNN O))) is booked at 1 festival: III Points 2026.
Is SUNN O))) playing III Points 2026?
Yes — SUNN O))) is on the III Points 2026 lineup, October 16–17, 2026 at Mana Wynwood, Miami, FL. They play Saturday, October 17.
Where is SUNN O))) from?
SUNN O))) is from Seattle, WA.
What kind of music does SUNN O))) play?
SUNN O))) is tagged drone-metal.
Also on these bills
UnderworldFlying LotusFour TetBlood OrangeBone Thugs-N-HarmonyCharlotte de WitteFloating PointsHoney DijonKelelaLil' KimDaphniDanny Brown
More artists from Seattle, WA
The Home TeamEmeryFoo FightersDeath Cab for CutieThe Head and the HeartBeach VacationCUCCIDead BarsEddie Vedder & FriendsLa LuzMinus the BearPearl Jam
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